The third release from Sweden's Dionysus, produced in 2007, proved a more serious affair to Anima Mundi, which summed up the Power Metal genre in the first bars of its opener. As reflected by the title, Fairytales And Reality straddles two styles, the darker, more mid-paced tracks that mostly dominate, and those that hark back to their sweeping storybook origins. Lyrically, Dionysus wrote love songs to the tunes of Avantasia and Gamma Ray, but here they look a little deeper, and it hardens the tone of the music. Opener "Illusion Of Life" stomps out of the speakers like a neo-classical Mob Rules, moody as hell until the uplifting and choir-backed chorus. Things perk up with "The Orb", which is a stylish double-kicker, but there is certainly a melancholic feel to the melodies. Even "The World" opens with the band's heaviest riff before launching into a spiteful vocal performance from Olaf Hayer, recalling something by Seven Witches (the chorus, however, is pure Kai Hansen-inspired magic).

For the most part, Fairytales And Reality satisfies the Power Metal fan in me, but those who experienced the highs of their first two albums will most likely mourn the loss of those unashamedly cheesy melodies. Some songs come close, such as the keyboard-bathed "True At Heart", but I feel the lack of energy is due to this being the band's swansong. The material here is still far better than what most Power Metal bands are releasing these days. One listen will attest to that.